Oral malodor may cause a significant social or psychological handicap to those suffering from it. Oral malodor has been correlated with the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) produced in the oral cavity. Specific bacteria identified in the production of VSC have been reported and many of these bacteria are commonly suspected periodontal pathogens. The aim of this study was to estimate the change of the VSC concentration after periodontal treatment.

Twenty subjects with probing depth (PD) ≥5mm (experimental group) and 20 subjects with PD <5mm (control group) participated. VSC concentration measurement was made with gas chromatography. VSC concentration was measured at pre-treatment, 2 weeks after scaling and 1 month after periodontal treatment(root planning and flap operation). Maximum probing depth and bleeding on probing(BOP) were also examed at pretreatment and 1 month after periodontal treatment.

The conclusions were as follow:

1. In the experimental group VSC concentration and CH3SH/H2S ratio were higher than control group. (p<0.05)

2. Both VSC concentration and CH3SH/H2S ratio showed decrease after periodontal treatment. But only CH3SH/H2S ratio after 1 month periodontal treatment was statistically significantly different from pre-treatment. (p<0.05)

3. CH3SH/H2S ratio tended to be on increase according to maximum probing depth and bleeding on probing.

Periodontal disease could be a factor that caused oral malodor and oral malodor could be decreased after periodontal treatment.